Sunday, 15 February 2015

Kuching places of interest

Below are a list of places worth visiting whenever you’re around Kuching (KCH) city. 


1) Kuching City Tour
Kuching is the capital city of the State of Sarawak, consisting of two administrative city councils (Kuching City South and Kuching City North). Let us start your tour by experiencing the cultural beauty of Kuching City through observing its places of interest and heritage buildings. Kuching Waterfront offers excellent view of the Astana, Fort Margherita, the Sarawak New States Lagislative Building (DUN) and the Malay villages which line the north bank of the river. The Chinese Temple – Tua Pek Kong, heritage colonial buildings like the Post Office, the Round Tower and Sarawak Museum will let you discover the cultures and history of the city. The cat Monument and Civic Centre are also famous city landmarks for photo taking.

2) Sarawak Cultural Village
This unique village is a replica of the multi-ethnic life of the people found in Sarawak with the exception of the Chinese farm house. It is 38km away from Kuching city and is a 45 minutes drive along Kuching-Santubong Road. SCV is a living museum offering an excellent introduction to 7 authentic ethnic houses representing our local inhabitants of Sarawak. To welcome you as you enter will be the Bidayuh longhouse (Land Dayak), Iban Longhouse (Sea Dayak), Penan huts, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay and finally the Chinese farm house. Watch and observe at each stop the daily activities performed by the indigenous people, the weaving of the “Puak Kumbu”, the making of blow pipes, and musical instruments by the Orang Ulu, as well as baking of traditional biscuits, are some of the activities you will observe. At the end of the tour you will be entertained by a dance at the village theatre.

3) Sarawak River Sunset Cruise
Enjoy a relaxing evening cruise along the famous Sarawak river to discover more than 20 historical landmarks and a panoramic view of the city and beautiful sunset behind the Serapi Mountain.

4) Semenggoh Orang Utan Nature Reserve
To get the best “posing” view of the Man of The Forest’, the Orang Utan, drive 30 minutes to the Semenggoh nature Reserve established in 1975. It is situated along the Penrissen Road as a forest reserved centre and a centre for research. The centre is meant to rehabilitate animals including the Orang Utan. Some of the Orang Utan here are semi wild that have been surrendered and some were born at SNR. The best time to be there is at feeding time, when you can see them as well as observe their eating habits. Remember Orang Utans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra.

5) Jong’s Crocodile Farm
Jong’s Crocodile Farm is one of the largest in the country, located 29km away from Kuching City. In this farm, you’ll get to see over a thousand crocodiles that range in size from tiny babies to behemoth saltwater monsters. Besides local and exotic species of these leathery beasts, other wildlife such as birds, monkeys, bearded cats, sun bears, deer, lizards and snakes are also here. Let’s experience an unforgettable, exciting watch during their feeding time.

6) Bako National Park
Tours normally take 45 minutes by road and 30 minutes by boat ride to the Bako National park. The park Gazetted on 1st May1957 covers an area of 2,727 hectares and is located at the northern tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula. Bako provides an outstanding diversity of natural landscapes in a relatively small area and home to many species of flora and fauna. Well marked trails offers interesting walks to spot the famous proboscis monkey and silver leaf monkeys. The other wildlife’s to spot of course the naughty long-tailed macaque moving near us to get free food. The monitor lizards and squirrels are common and so is the wild boar moving around the HQ and canteen. If you are fortunate you might even see snakes sneaking nearby. If you intend to stay overnight there are chalets available and it is just suitable for you to go along the longer trails. This National Park is worth going if you are nature lover and environmentalist, a solute and scenic spot overlooking the open sea and sand beaches.

7) Gunung Gading National Park
Gunung Gading national Park is located in the Lundu District, southwest of Sarawak. It takes about 2 hour’s drive from Kuching. Gunung Gading is the home to the world’s largest flower, the “Rafflesia”. It’s ever grown up nearly 87cm in width. However, if you miss the Rafflesia blooming period, you can enjoy your trip for jungle trek and swimming in the jungle streams.

8) Fairy Cave and Wind Cave
The Fairy Cave & Wind Cave is located in the Bukit Kapor in Bau area, (once a famous gold prospecting town) which is about 45 minutes drive away from Kuching. Once you in the Fairy cave, you’ll marvel at the limestone formation in these mystical caverns that are thousands of years old. Some of the rock formations resemble figures and animals, becoming a point of religious interest for some of the locals. The Wind Cave, about 5 minutes drives from Fairy Caves. Wind Cave have staircase and plank walks lead you to the main cave and two underground tunnels. Here, you can feel total darkness and the wind blows around you. Torchlight is a “must” equip for you to see the bat and you also can hear sound of high-pitched squeaking from thousand of bat as well.

9) Santubong Wildlife Cruise
The Santubong peninsula beckons with a delightful attraction – dolphin watching. The shallow coastal area and estuaries make good habitats for the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The Irrawaddy is a relatively shy dolphin. It’s usually hard to see, depend on weather and a good guide cum spotter, the serene view, frontier of the land – mangrove forest and its in habitant will keep visitors fascinated. The Santubong area is one of the places where you can watch fireflies, which inhabit the coastal mangroves and Nipah growth along the shallow coastal area. It is very beautiful to watch as the sun sets in and the night begins to emerge, where these insects begin to hover amongst the trees. Best time to watch is in the evening when the tide is ebbing.

10) Kuching Rainforest Kayaking
Treat yourself to fun filled kayaking adventure suitable for beginners and children in some of the most beautiful natural settings in Kuching. Paddle leisurely from the upper river and savor the sights of unique limestone formations and towering riverine trees while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the rainforest. Discover the fascinating carnivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes in their natural habitat. Truly not to be missed adventure for the nature lover.

11) Satang Island (Pulau Satang Besar)
Sarawak’s First Marine protected area, Talang-Satang National Park covers an area of 19,414 hectares and was gazette in 1999 to enhance marine turtle conservation in Sarawak. The park encompasses the coastline and waters surrounding four islands. Pulau Talangtalang Besar, Pulau Talang-talang Kecil, Pulau Satang Besar and Pulau Satang Kecil. These small island are surrounding by patches of shallow coral reef which provide shelter and resting grounds for sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs. Pulau Satang Besar, the largest of the park’s island. The beach on satang is one of the best in Sarawak and it is possible to snorkel on the nearby reef if there is good visibility. Overnight trips to Satang during the nesting season and day trips to Satang can be combined with Santubong wildlife cruise (Dolphin watching) Peak turtle nesting season : May ~ September.

12) Annah Rais Longhouse
Live in a Bidayuh longhouse with the locals, savor the local delights and experience the traditional lifestyle. A trip to the Annah Rais Longhouse offers great nature-based activities and cultural shows. Annah Rais Longhouse is situated about 60km or 1hours drive from Kuching. Trips must be pre-arranged.






13) Iban Longhouse(Batang Ai and Lemanak River)
The Iban Longhouse tour at Batang Ai and Lemanak River is a unique experience to be cherished. Visitors will get an opportunity to journey upstream along the river on a wooden longboat, before arriving at the longhouse where many interesting activities await. Be awed by a blowpipe demonstration, see how rice is cooked in bamboo tubes and watch a traditional native dance.

14) Kampung Semban Ring Ladies
Situated up the Padawan Mountain Range, take a 5HRS trek through the forest walking pass fruit orchards, pepper farm, rubber and cocoa plantations and rice fields towards Kampung Semban, the “Village Above the Clouds”. the community here are famed for their group of elderly ladies who wears Brass coils on their arms and leg. this moderate to difficult walk will take you pass the Bengoh Dam while heading into the mix-dipterocarp forest while commanding the highland’s steep slopes. apart from the Ring Ladies, the other highlights of this trip is the trek to the waterfalls, where you can participate in preparing and enjoy traditional Bidayuh lunch cooked entirely in bamboo!

15) Talang Satang National Park (Sea Turtle Adoption Programme)
Talang Satang National Park was established with the primary aim of conserving Sarawak’s sea turtle population. The park comprises the coastline and sea surrounding four islands of the Southwest of Sarawak; Pulau Talang and Pulau Talang Kecil off Sematan and Pulau Satang Besar and Pulau Satang Kecil off Santubong, near Kuching. Talang-Satang National Park covers a total area of water bodies approximately 19,414 ha. Beautiful shallow reef area surround all the four islands. the reefs generally consist of several species of hard corals and colonies of soft corals. they provide shelter and resting grounds for sea turtles, and are also important fish breeding areas.The island is open from May to September each year allowing 15 groups of volunteers, comprising of 6 volunteers per group to participate in this unique conservation programme. Normally the island is strictly off limits. The Sea Turtle Adoption that is being run on the island comprises of conservation activities such as beach patrols to locate turtle landings, monitoring sea turtle nesting activities, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to hatchery, releasing hatchlings, data recording and other in-situ conservation activities. Sea Turtle Adoption Program offers you the chance to learn more about sea turtle conservation through your active participation in various activities such as beach patrols, monitoring turtle nesting activity, tagging and measuring turtles, transferring eggs to hatchery, releasing hatclings and data recording. 






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